Janna Wilson

Can you tell I'm out of school...

2012-01-04T10:50:51-06:00

Oh how I've loved a small taste of freedom the last few days. The kids were back to school Monday and I've yet a few more precious days till my college mama grind starts anew. I'm excited for a new set of classes and yet enjoying just creating for the sake of creating. Working on some "wanna do" projects- calendars, chore charts and fun stuff. Thats a fun perk of my job at Inscriptions-- I get to do some pretty creative stuff, these started out as calendars that were going to be printed on paper, but I laminated a couple for me and well...they are 8 x 10 personalized dry erase calendars now!

I love calendars. Long time "wanna do" was to create a binder type planner that you could print, add to, customize. I actually started that with these calendars a while ago and hopefully time will come when I can finish.

Made this fun thing for Cash yesterday...

He had fun checking his list and getting a reward for a job well done! I just realized I forgot "pick up toys!" LOL!

One final share...have you made any goals for 2012? Resolutions? I always think about what I want to accomplish in the year ahead...you can pick up this printable freebie I created for www.passionforsavings.com. This is a website I frequent and have LOVED for a few years now. Check it out, leave a comment here and I'll choose a random winner/commenter. I'll make the lucky winner a personalized dry erase weekly planner!

Writing in 2012, vintage letters, and kickin' it old style

2012-01-03T19:02:23-06:00

Hello 2012 and all of my friends out there!

I've been thinking a lot of letters and writing lately. Some of my friends are convinced I'm a nut for paying $14 and change for a lot on eBay of 120 old letters. Not nosey, just love letters. Alphabet letters, cards, notebook paper, handwriting...bits of scrap and greeting cards- especially from early in the 20th century. My art history classes have fostered a growing love for paper, printing, lettering, engravings and especially those things from late 1800-early 1900s. Things were so different then. I've so enjoyed skimming through these letters, some typed, some handwritten in pencil or dip pens. The subject matter takes you time traveling.

So I've thought that I would write in 2012...letters. Good old fashioned, handwritten, mailed with a stamp, fun paper and sweet envelopes...letters. Yup. Maybe to people I know...maybe some to people I don't know. Seriously...who doesn't love to get letters in the mail. I remember my Aunt Linda would write to me occasionally when I was a kid and it was SO FUN to find a letter addressed just to me! She would use some pretty stationery and slip in a stick of gum for me and one for each of my siblings too :) It is truly a memory I cherish. I treasure those few recipe cards that I have from my Grandma and Scott's mom each in their own unique, special handwriting. These are priceless to me.

As much as I love technology- I fear that books, letters and all things printed are endangered to a point. So I intend on spreading a little paper love into 2012?

Wonder who I should write first? Pen pals anyone? LOL!

What about you? How long has it been since you've gotten a letter or sent one?

House of # Artwork-->REPOST

2011-12-05T21:42:41-06:00

Hi - if you are visiting to pick up my House of {insert your number here} artwork from this post-- for framing or home decor, I'm reposting it in this post because there are some issues with the download. I've tried fixing but there is some strange glitch within that post. These are pdf files and they are pretty large at that - so it might take a minute or two to download the page.

These are the only files/numbers I have available right now. Thanks for visiting my blog to download this freebie...it really is a classy project that makes a great gift this Holiday Season!

Please remember, my printable freebies are for personal use only.

College Mama blogs twice in a two day period!

2011-11-11T00:39:49-06:00

Just finished designing a school project with a "bag of crap" based on a book title/author. Interesting, yes! I found myself snubbing most of the treasures in the "bag" and sticking to paper (the paper bag itself) and pen...imagine that! OOps! We had to photograph our composition of said "crap" and that would be the finished designed --only cropping and slight adjustments in PS. No major Photoshoppery allowed. The goal was to familiarize yourself with photography. CHECK!

I'm not ecstatic with my result...I wish I'd been a little more flexible with the idea- I got too determined I think? But at this point, I'm calling it done. Done.

Lets just say I had more fun doing this...which took like 2 1/2 minutes, maybe.

I wanted to create that depth with my "bag of crap" school project as I did here with the doilies. But I don't think it translated as well. I'm really crushin' on doilies--so precious. So this was a little experiemental doily "tag" I did a few weeks ago. Can't wait to play with this idea some more. All in good time, right...

I added a few of these to my flea market booth today...fun stuff. I love making and decorating with these fun things! I added big tulle poms to the ends and its super cute! Do you BELIEVE?!?! These banners feature a precious vintage Santa I got over at the Graphics Fairy! LOVE her. love. Thank you Graphics Fairy!

I'm so ready for the Holidays! I guess working at the fun store is getting me in the "mood" earlier this year. We must have a dozen scrumptious trees! I've contemplated decorating a bit early this year...hmmm...I've already started wrapping presents! I've not actually "made a list" but that hasn't stopped me from checking it twice! I know whose naughty and nice...yes I do! Something I've purposed to do this year is purchase vintage items for my family/kids. So far I've gotten some real treasures at the "flea." (our fun little flea market here in town called Angel's Crossing).

Tomorrow's Friday! Wonder what exciting and happy things tomorrow could bring? Hmmm...

I'll leave you with this - a favorite of late because I love my little sister too much! She's absolutely beautiful and I'm SO proud of her!

seriously? REALLY?

2011-11-08T13:56:50-06:00

Have you noticed that those (post title) are the trendy words these days? LOL! It makes me giggle a little - seriously! So since its been SO long since I blogged, I thought I must come up with a fitting- catchy title! REALLY!

I'm about 2/3 done with my semester of school...finally, I am in a groove. I think? Things are going smoothly for now--maybe this is just the calm before the storm? Oh well, I'm going to enjoy it...for the fleeting moments that it lasts. I really love my classes -- I have an illustrations class, a graphic design class and a grds history class (+ Philosophy and an Art History). Interesting stuff. I look at the world a lot differently than I did before. I love the art history classes...good stuff.

I was reminded in an article I read this week to "do something creative everyday." Well, I'm pretty well creative to some extent everyday, but I think I'm going to try to do better. I haven't really taken a lot of pics in recent months because I'm so busy-- for that I'm really ashamed. REALLY! We've got a little assignment going in one of my classes where we utilize photography...so I thought I might better warm up a bit. So today I thought...I'm going to look at things with my creative eye...just some things around the house- that I love. All taken with my 30D 50mm lens on manual settings-- some slight PS adjustments on each...well, except the lamp...I had to bring it to life!

This is just some cabinets in my dining room...I liked the lines and light situation. I cropped all these into squares because I have plans for them... : ) And because I love Instamatic/Instagram prints.

Used the Instagram "earlybird" filter on the above. Can you guess what it is?

I absolutely LOVE doilies. I think about how someone handcrafted these beautiful pieces of art...to me they are like snowflakes. No two handmade ones are truly alike. I buy them a lot and love to just look at them. It amazes me how inexpensive they are. Beautiful.

Last but not least...this is a knob from the closet doors in our "powder room." I admire it often and have meant to photograph it. I like how this turned out. Wow.

Other creative endeavors this week...I typed a letter on this...which was both fun and a workout for my hands and fingers...

I made this cute banner for a customer at the store. Let me know if you need one.

I ordered this pic in a wrapped canvas...YAY!

(snapped by my little sis at Hendrix campus)

Hope your fall is abundant with blessings.

quickie...

2011-09-27T23:29:51-05:00

I'm going to attempt to do a quick post...

So far-- it's not going quickly, had to ditch internet explorer because I couldn't type my post there? ;/

Oh well, that won't deter me! It's Tuesday...which means I SHOULD have been hitting my books hard and catching up on the procrastination situation...however, I felt the need to create. I set up the most boring invitation yesterday at work...Crane, typical :) High end paper...low on pizazz.

blah...

I thought to myself, "self...there must be a cuter wine glass invitation"...so I came up with this one...

And then, I got frisky and did this one. I just like it. You know...colorful, hounds tooth, puffy little clouds, cute font...need I say more...

In my fantasy world I would letterpress this. Even though I don't have a press...yet :) Oh how I dream of one day...to play and create again. School is going good...but sure puts a damper on being creative for the sake of being creative...and have so little time outside of buzzing in my little circle of life/work/school/kids.

Be sure and watch my little Etsy shoppe as I am transitioning there from the other blog/shop. Adding all new things to Etsy. So fun to fill sweet little orders from there...thanks to my customers!

Polynomials stink...2 part post

2011-09-15T21:20:05-05:00

----------------> Part 1 (written first week of September)

School is in. I'm in it. Up to my eyeballs in reading, writing and arithmetic (is Algebra even considered arithmetic?) Tuesday it was hours of Algebra and loads of laundry that consumed my day. Then essays to write and Philosophy to ponder while getting into some ancient Art History too. Gracious. Throw in some sketches for both of my graphic design classes and well, that pretty much sums it up. What have I done to myself? I'll not answer that...and skip along to other subjectmatter that require little or no brainwaves.

No really, I really do enjoy school. I'm learning a lot. And I actually enjoy the art history very much.

Monday was kind of a yuck day all around...but I was determined not to bring it home to the kids. And I didn't. Small victories for us positive, optimistic folks of the world are a blessing and a ray of light.

Fun things like this have been showing up in my email inbox...how I love my Scrapbooks etc. peeps...

I love it when Brenda includes one of my all time favorite layouts in the weekly newsletter...even though they are from a while back...I think good design stands the test of time and thats what I love about SBEtc. style...they know good design. From the editors to the art directors to the contributors...its the whole package. Definitely subscribe to the newsletter if you like paper crafting/scrapbooking. I am loving that they are translating some of their idea books like the PAGE PLANNER to digital formats too! WOW!

---------------> Part 2 (fast forward to Thursday, September 15th)

Goodness gracious. Half way through September, I just realized. WHAT?$%&*(& Say it ain't so! Well, that means I'm 1/4 of the way done with the semester right? School...bleck. A little discouraging right now. Remind me not to take 18 hours next semester, okay?

I spent today catching up on some printing, filling some Etsy orders and its amazing how time flies when you are having fun. I dream of the day when I am working back here it my cute little blue office design all kinds of pretty, printed goodness...and maybe some other stuff too ;)

I didn't work on any of my classes today...yet. Ooops. Still have reading and essay to write. :( I read a tid bit earlier in an email that mentioned that a girl was trying to figure out where to squeeze more time into her day and so she started getting up at 4:00 a.m. so she could work on a project. Funny thing I've found that really works! The previous two semesters of school...I would do the same thing to get my school work done. Maybe tomorrows the day...

It's pretty sad that it has taken me like two weeks to write one post. Well, I won't be sad about it...how bout I share...well, never mind...I'll have to do that in another post...for some reason typepad won't let me upload pics tonight.

Off to bed for me.

xoxo

1000mph

2011-07-27T03:53:20-05:00

Where's the off switch? Between my fun little job, the class I'm doing this summer and the kids and a few creative binges--well, there's just not enough time in the day :0 Stayed up late last night filling a couple of Etsy orders and then up at 5:30 to get to the peach orchard :) LOVE going to pick fresh peaches!!! And eating myself silly on peaches for about a week after!

It's super di-duper hot here in Arkansas. Weve been breaking records and have gone nearly a month without rain. Thru it I'm proud to say I've kept up my walking and so excited that I just joined a local fitness place called Core Fitness. I'm gonna try some classes in conjunction with my walking/jogging and try burn through a few pounds. I'll be starting tomorrow ;). Back on walking--Too funny my route of choice is about 3+ miles and takes me down the hill to Scott's shop. Is it wrong if I take his truck and drive myself back? Lol!!

My job is very fun and its a great opportunity to be creative too! My boss and co-workers are all creative and we all seem have a unique gift that lends to the store. I've really enjoyed having a little something to offer-- we've been designing tees and tote bags and this afternoon I've been sewing tote bags!

(Blogging via iPhone so all the pics will be lumped together.) I did a cute shirt to match a hat we have in the store for a little guy's birthday attire. I spent this afternoon/evening perfecting mass production mode of sewing the personalized tote bags we'll be offering soon...so far I have a teacher and owl. Really, who can resist ruffles!?

Must go now! Look for new additions to Etsy this week ;)
--
Janna Wilson
www.jannawilson.com